Dream job: «employee»

Everyone knows Elon Musk, but hardly anyone wants to be an entrepreneur. Yet entrepreneurship still holds a fascination, as our micro-trottles with young people in Lausanne and Zurich show.

In the collective imagination, the entrepreneur seems to be a familiar but vague figure. The micro-trotters conducted by the Schweizer Monat and Le Regard Libre on both sides of the Saane River show just how obvious this notion is. When the young people questioned say they have an idea of what an entrepreneur is, their answers are often similar, though not very precise: he organizes the business, runs it and makes sure that «the money comes in». The entrepreneur seems to be perceived above all as a manager, and the two terms are considered synonymous by the vast majority of young people.

Acceptance of failure

Some participants, however, point to a central, more representative characteristic of the entrepreneurial spirit: risk-taking. Thus, «the entrepreneur identifies gaps in the market and proposes products or services that fill them», explains a young German on Zurich's lake promenade. «It's always good to invent things that don't yet exist», says a young man in Lausanne's Flon district. In short, an entrepreneur «stimulates the economy by creating a business». And «ideally, he makes a profit from it».

Taking risks also means accepting failure. When asked about their most recent personal failure, many participants cite everyday situations - often failed exams - which are nonetheless interpreted as learning opportunities. «I fail every day, but it allows me to grow and learn a lot,» explains a passer-by in German-speaking Switzerland. A French-speaking man recounts his first entrepreneurial experience: «I once bought drinks with some friends to resell at a higher price, but it didn't work out too well.»

Risks are part of everyone's life. Every day, we evaluate - often unconsciously - countless risks before making decisions. Whether we like it or not, we are all professional risk analysts. In other words, we all have within us the very disposition that characterizes successful entrepreneurs. The younger generation also consciously take risks, but usually far from the world of business and entrepreneurship, for example by studying abroad or indulging in risky hobbies, as they mention. An important condition for taking the undoubtedly risky step towards independence is therefore fulfilled.

Authority and resistance

On the list of qualities required to embark on an entrepreneurial adventure, our interviewees regularly mention determination and authority. Then there's the ability to convince, and the ability to listen. It's remarkable to note that, on closer inspection, the authoritarian image of the leader gives way to that of a conductor, capable of giving direction while taking account of his or her environment.Courage, resistance to stress and optimism are also often cited as prerequisites for a successful start-up as an entrepreneur. It seems that, from the point of view of those interviewed, entrepreneurship above all requires a mental disposition to overcome setbacks.

When it comes to entrepreneurial figures, the world-famous names of the «super-rich» such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos immediately spring to mind. A Swiss-German cites his father, «who founded a start-up with a colleague». Another mentions Peter Spuhler, the Thurgau entrepreneur and politician who turned the small company Stadler Rail into an internationally successful rail vehicle manufacturer. He also believes that the managers of the many SMEs, craftsmen, hairdressers and gardeners are the real «backbone of the Swiss economy».

Security versus independence

Do the young people we met want to become entrepreneurs themselves? Most of them don't, according to the clear conclusion of our survey, which we hope is not representative in this respect. «I'd rather be an employee» is the most frequent answer. Some are also seduced by the motivating and satisfying idea of being able to pay their employees a monthly salary. «I could imagine setting up my own business, but the path to get there seems rather difficult.»

Difficult? Certainly. Achievable? Absolutely. The responses of many young people reflect a deep respect - often even admiration - for entrepreneurs and their achievements. It all starts with a good idea that stands out from the crowd and meets a market need. Then you need «a good business plan», as one would-be entrepreneur puts it. But what happens next?

With this special issue, We want to break down barriers, inspire and inform. We want to help young people take their first steps towards independence, so that the «dream job of an employee» can turn into a dream life as an entrepreneur.

Journalist by profession, Jonas Follonier is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Regard Libre. Write to the author: jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com.

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